Ice-cream bar bagging machine



Oct. 27, 1953 2,656,961

K. A. BEVINGTON ICE-CREAM BAR BAGGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 v: a I f: 1/ 4i Oct. 27, 1953 K. A. BEVINGTON 2,656,961

ICE-CREAM BAR BAGGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 27, 1953 K. A. BEVINGTON 2,656,951

ICE-CREAM BAR BAGGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet I5 Oct. 27, 1953 K. A. BEVINGTON ICE-CREAM BAR BAGGING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 17, 1948 ewgyfm 43 gm, 745

Oct. 27, 1953 K. A. BEVINGTON ICE-CREAM BAR BAGGING MACHINE.

l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 17, 1948 Wm 7 3 mm n W R. Nw Q \\\\\\NT M v a 1 7/6 u \g 6 n m .Qm um mm @I 3 L w fi mm, ML .QQ fie Oct. 27, 1953 K. A. BEVINGTON ICE-CREAM BAR BAGGING MACHIN 10 Sheets-Shet 6 Filed Aug. 17, 1948 fizvazfiorr ffeazneii Q: Bewa'gyifan I y Oct. 27, 1953 K. A. BEVINGTON ,6

ICE-CREAM BAR BAGGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17. 1948 1o Sheets-Sheet 7 fienncZ/b a. fi va ggiwz. Qy 64W 9 Oct. 27, 1953 K. A. BEVINGTON ICE-CREAM BAR BAGGING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 17, 1948 mfiww a Oct. 27, 1953 K. A. BEVINGTON ICE-CREAM BAR BAGGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 leis Oct. 27, 1953 K. A. BEVINGTQN ICE-CREAM BAR BAGGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17. 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Patented Oct. 27, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IGE -GREKM'BAR BAGGING MACHINE Kenneth ArBevington; livanston',.l ll} ApplicationAUg'flsf-l't, 1948, Serial N6 44 ,675

ZZ GIaims'.

Thisinventionrelates to a machine for bagging ice cream bars and other articlesof a; similar nature; such as confectionery bars An' object of the invention is the'provision-of a machine for bagging artieles including novel means -for supporting aquanti-ty of bag'sinwvhi'ch individual bags are arranged for suoeessive1y're= ceiving thearticles:

Bagssuchas usedior 'kiaggihg ice cream bars,

are-usuallyin ear condition,- and they must he opened out; for-receiving the-articles:

Another object is theprovision ofnov'ei means for retaining "and openingout the bags:

Still another ohjct is the-"provision of novel arrangement whereby a" continuous air" blast is employed forop'ening out the bags.

A further object is the provision-ofabagging machine having a novei feed hopperfor th'earticles;

The feed hopper is movable to a loading-posh tion and to a.-positio1i wherecontinued move ment feeds the' articles into" the bags. A still further" object" or the invention is" the provision of novelmeans for quickly movingthe feed hop; per' from loadingposition to a" discharging "post tion, and'thereafter slowlyrnovingthehopper for sucoessivew feeding'the"articles intothehags;

Another object is the provision of a" bagging machinewhereiwthearticies fall into' the bags by gravity; and" ravity' th'en carries'theb'agged articles out ofthe bagging zone:- and' into" position for'collec'ting.

A" f urther object is' the" provisionora mach-hie of a novel construction which can'be' easilyidis assemb'ie iior purposes of? cieanin'g;

Stili another" ohjectis the provisionof'abagiging machine havinga" nove-I' movable reed Thonper having aslidable hottornpariel, the panel'in one position of the feed hopper being in position for'closing the hoppen'tah'd in another positionof the hopper being in position iorproviding an" openingin' the bottom of the 'feed hopper.

Another object is the provision'fo'f'a bagging machine whi'ch can be disassembled and" which includesas a Suki-assembly thereof, thefeeu' hop p'er" and bottompanei justreferred to some car"- riage for supportingthe hopper and panel? A further ohjectis the provision 013a novel eon"- veyor for carrying the bagged" articles out "of the baggingzone;

Still another "object is the" provision of'arconveyor'whi'chcan be disassembled'and whiclr'ineludes a" removabie" plate immediately 'unii'er th'e upper" run" of the conveyor-"for" retaining the unper'run fiat."

Withtheseandother objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement and' combination of the various parts of my bagging machine whereby the objects contemplated 'are'at tainedpas hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated: in the accompanying drawings,- .Wherein Figure 1: is a perspectiveview of the machine of: the"present invention illustrating the bagging machine proper in the-background anda conveyjor in the foreground.

Figure 2 is: a plan view on an enlarged scale of the bagging machine proper, with the conveyor omitted;

Figure his a-fi ontekivatiorial viewpf the baggingmaoh'ine proper, taken on line'3"3 of Fig ure 2.

Figure 4 is a-se'ctional view taken substantially on the line 4-4" of Figure 3 and showing a portion of the conveyor;

Figure 5 is a view taken on staggered line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 isa detail sectional View taken on line 6 8 or Figure- 2 Figure-fl-is an enlarged view taken on line of-FigureZ.

Figureweis an enlarged detail-view taken on line- 8-8 or Figure 2. v

Figure 9 is' a viewtaken on-sta-ggered line 9-9 of Figure 4.

FigurelO-isan enlarged sectional view taken on. line 1 0-40 of Figure 9.;

Figure-'11 is a" diagrammatic viewsimilar to Figure 10 illustratingthe bag. follower man alternateposition,

Figure 12' is a'seetiona-l view'takenon line l2 I2 ofFigure 10.

Figure 13' is an enlarged View taken on line 13-- I3 of Figure 10;

Figure 14* is an enlargedifront elevat'ional view of one of tthe holdi-ng clips' atth-e bottom of the partition walls or thebag magazine.

Figure 15-is-a= top view-offiigure li- Figure 1-6 is a -view taken line-:1 6 fi 'oifFigrure 15.

Figure l 'l 'is ainill'ustratioii of the ty'pe or" bag to heused! in the nraehine or the' pres'ent invention.

Figure: lfi isfianexploded View of the different parts orlthe baggingmaehihei Figure -l 9 is -arrerilatrgefi;sectional View or a portion of the pon'veyor taken on 'line 1 (9' I 9 of FigureI: I I

Figure 2'Ois-avihW-takrroh line 16 26 01 Hgure 19;"

Figures 21 to 24 are side views of the bagging machine, in different stages of operation.

Figures 25 to 30 are plan views of the bagging machine proper in different stages of operation.

Referring in detail to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates the bagging machine of the present invention in perspective view. The bagging machine proper is indicated at I2 and the numeral I4 refers to the conveyor for carrying the bagged articles to a collection point. For purposes of convenience to the reader, the side of the machine of Figure 1 facing the observer will be referred to as the front and the other side, or hidden side, will be referred to as the rear.

The machine includes a framework [6 which includes legs I8 under the conveyor and legs at the rear of the machine. The legs l8 and 29 may be provided with casters 22 if desired for ease in moving the machine about. Connecting the legs [3 and 28 are vertical flanges of a plate or deck 36, which extends from the front of the machine to the rear, and as illustrated in Figure 4 is utilized for supporting certain elements of the machine.

Other reinforcing diagonal pieces 28 are provided at various points for imparting rigidity to the framework. The legs 28 extend upward to a point above the conveyor. Upright members 30 are positioned forwardly of and extend to a greater height than the rear legs Side panels 32 are secured between the members 3!! and legs 20 on the sides and rear to enclose those sides of the bagging machine.

Figure 18 will be referred to throughout the specification, for the purpose of pointing out the general appearance and the identity of the various parts so that the reader will gain an immediate general impression of the machine.

Figure 18 also is for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the various parts of the machine can be easily dismounted and substantially the whole machine disassembled.

A top plate 34'is mounted on the members 36 and 20, and due to the difference in height between the members 39 and legs 20, the front of the plate 34 is inclined upwardly. Reference is made to Figures 1 to 5 for the details of the top plate 35. The plate 34 has a main flat portion 36 with upturned vertical flanges 38.

The forward edge of the plate is cut back to form arms lfl extending forwardly beyond the forward edge of the baggin machine. The upper ends of the members and legs 20 are cut back to form notches in which the plate 34 rests, the latter being secured in place by means of bolts 42. The forward edge of the main portion 38 of the plate is disposed substantially at the forward side of the bagging machine proper, for a purpose which will appear later.

Secured to the outer sides of the flanges 38 adjacent the forward edge of the machine are bosses 44 in which are formed holes for the reception of a bail member or guide 46. The bail member 46 extends upwardly and has a horizontally extending element 48.

The plate 34 for-ms a track or runway for a feed hopper and carriage therefor. The carriage is indicated as a whole at 50 (Figure 18), and reference is directed to Figures 2, 4, and 5, for the details thereof. The carriage 50 includes a pair of laterally spaced plates 52 each having a downturned flange 54. The plates 52 are interconnected by a cross piece 56 in the form of an angle member having an upturned leg 58 which is inclined rearwardly. The plates 52 extend 1ongitudinally with respect to the front-rear direction of the machine and are so spaced that the downturned flanges 54 substantially abut the inner surfaces of the flanges 38 on the top plate 34. The flanges 54 are provided with rollers 60 at front and rear by which the carriage bears on the top plate 35 and the carriage is slidable forwardly and rearwardly on the top plate.

A feed hopper is indicated in its entirety at 62 and is made up of a front plate a rear plate 65 and end plates 62. The rear plate 65 is inclined rearwardly to conform to the inclination of the member 58. The feed hopper 62 is provided with a plurality of laterally spaced parti-- tions iii. The feed hopper 62 has an open bottom to be opened and closed by means to be described presently.

The transverselength of the feed hopper 62 is such that its ends rest on the inner marginal edges of the plates 52 of the carriage. The feed hopper is restrained against movement laterally by brackets 12. and against movement forwardly by hooks 14 formed on the forward ends of the brackets 12 and turned over the front side of the feed hopper. The fed hopper is restrained against rearward movement on the carriage by the cross member 55.

An angle strip 18 is secured to the rear upper edge of the feed hopper 52, and includes a long leg 18 and a short leg at. The strip it is secured as illustrated in Figure 8 with its short leg secured to the rear side of the hopper, and the long leg extending horizontally across the top of the hopper. The strip is detachably secured in such a position that it can be removed and turned over for disposing either leg alternately over the top of the hopper.

The feed hopper 62 is closed by a bottom panel 82 in the form of a plate. The bottom panel 82 is secured to the under surface of the plate 52 of the carriage by means of cleats 84 which are secured to the plates 52 by means of screws with filler pieces interposed between the cleats and plates 52. Extending forwardly and formed as a part of the bottom panel 82 are arms 86 which in the rear position of the bottom panel (Figure 2) extend beyond the front edge of the top plate 34.

Secured on the under surface of the bottom panel 82 are longitudinally spaced stop members 88 and 89. Another stop member 99) is secured to the top plate 34 and extends upwardly into position for engagement by the stops 88 and 89.

The bottom panel when in the position shown in Figures 2 and 4 serves to close the bottom of the feed hopper 62 and moves With the carriage 50 under certain conditions. For causing movement of the bottom panel 22 with the carriage 50, a friction element 92 is provided. One friction element 92 is provided adjacent each end of the bottom panel as illustrated in Figures 2 and 5. The details of construction of the member 92 are shown in Figure 6. The friction device 92 includes a tubular member 94 having a reduced lower end, and containing bearing balls 93. A compression spring 93 is disposed above the balls 96, and retained in place by a cap screw N10. The tubular member 94 is provided with an anchoring plate I52. The lower end of the tubular member 92 is inserted in an opening in the plate 52 and secured in place by means of screws threaded in the plate H12 and the plate 52. The lower end of the tubular member is then in such a position that the lower bearing ball 96 engages the bottom panel 82. When the carri age is moved: along the runway in the' bottom plate. 34, the bottom panel: 82. is carried along with the 'carriageuntil an outside force. prevents its continued movement. The stop.9.0.is1 engaged by one or the other of the steps 88 and: 89.

On the inner surface of eachv down turned flange 54. 0f. the carriage-.50: and. toward tharear thereof is a. pair or vertical angle. members.- L04. Theangle members of each pair form. a: vertical extending channel. Formed in. the. top-plate 84 are slots I05. extending longitudinallyroff thelatter, one slot beingpositioned adjacentthe. lateral extremities ofthe: top. plate. A, lever; army I08 (Figures 3. and 4). is employed: for actuating the carriage 50. The leverarm. I00-includes a. lower portion IIO: pivoted at IIi: on. a pin. supported in. bosses; I'I4 mounted=onthedeck 28 at a point adjacent the. center of:the.machine. Thelever arm. I08 includes branches II.8extending.lateral-- 1y to the sideslof-thelmachineand thenupwardly through the slots. I05. At the upper end of. each branch II fiisa. roller. II 8., being receivedin the channel formedby the vertical anglelpieces I04.

Adjacent the lower edgeof. the lever arm. I08 is. a roller I which engages a cam. I821. The cam. I 22. is mounted. on a shaft I24: forming a part of a. gear reducer I 2.6.. The gear reducer is driven by an. electricmotor. I128.

The cam I 22 is of a; special construction designed for the purpose of producing-. variable speed. movementof the lever I08. and; the carriage 5.0. The cam; includes a depression. I80 adjacent which isasurface I32 for rapid throw action of the cam. The remaining surface of the cam comprises ,what will be termed for convenience first, second, third. and. fourth. discharging positions, indicated by the reference numerals I34, I36, I38, and; I40, respectively. The positions I3 4 to;I.40 are disposed progressive.- ly farther from theaxis of the cam. and the fourth position I-.inc ludes.a scgmentwhich is substantially truly radial. The cam I22 rotates counter-clockwise as viewed at Figures 21 to 24. In the fourth position I40 is a notch I. 4;I;in.the m fo h ur s z lisht yia n the e e arm- I08 and consequently the feed hopper. 82,

The. back of the machine is provided. with an opening inwnich is-insertedan air filter I42. The filter,I4 2; coversthe inlet of a hloyver; I44 which maybe conventionalandwhich isidriven with; a motor; I48 supported; on a support I48 which is m unt dfin h deck 1 5 am i air inlet of the blower I44 is adjustableto vary the amount of air taken in and delivered, and thereby vary the air blast or current-for use in opening the bags. as will bedescribed later. The outlet I50 of the blower leads upwardly where it is connected with an upwardly diverging duct I58. The lower end of the duct I52 is fitted over the upper end of the outlet I50 of the blower and retained in placeby any convenient means, such as an angle bracket I54 secured to the outlet of the blower.

The-duct I52 (Figures 3,. 4, and 5) leads upward to thetop plate 34. An an gle strip. I56 extends transversely across the lower portionpf the top plate 34 and serves as a stop meansfor the upper end of, the duct I52.

Adjacent each end of the angle piece I58 is a channel I58. Thechannels I58 extend'forward- Ivor the top plate 34 and are disposed with their open, sides facingeach other. A. plate. I001 is fittedon the lower flanges. 01. the: channels I58 and. seated against the .front surface. of i theupper end of the duct I52 and-textends-forwardlyA and terminates at the. forward: end or'the channels, both of! which. terminate adjacent the forward side of the nagging machine proper. The plate I00 and channels I 58 constitute a top. air duct: I82. The top has an opening communigeating.- with.v the top duct I82; The top ductr I162 finally communicateswi'th a delivery duct which is-formediin a portiontof the machineyet to be described.

A magazineis. indicated: in its entirety by the numeral I64"(1Eigure 18), the: details of construca tion. of; which are best illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 9; and. L0: The magazine I164 is: removablypsupportedson aldeclc I68; (Figure-.4) whichislpivotally supported at; I51 by the side membersof themachine and. has. at: its forward edge a shield or deflector plate I68; which curves; downwardly; and forwardly.

The front ed e of. theydeck. I68: can. be swung upwardly, when the magazine, is removed; to affordaccess to thespace below. from the front;

The magazine I355". includes side plates. I105 defining the extremities of: the magazine; The lower edgesof: the side plates I10are preferably straight so as to: rest on the deck I68, and the forward edges thereof, as indicated at I12, extend out. into. the vertical, projection of the shield I68.

A bottom plate I1 4 secured. between the side plates IIIL The bottom plate curvesrearwardly and upwardly and terminatesadjacent, the upr re r e f: he nuaeazi r ;v h h pe o the bottom pl te I14" need not; be, truly, arcuate, and in fact;the lower frontportion approaches a straight-lineshape. The magazine,- of course, is of appropriate heightto fit-under the top duct I62, Reinforcing pieces may he provided at the rear of the side plates. I 10;if desired; A plurality of partitions I16. are formed in the niagazine parallel with the sideplates, forming compartments I18, The top portion of the frontof the magazine I64is closedby meansof a plate I secured to the side plates and to thepartitions. The plate I80; is provided withanupwardly curved cut out portion. I82- in register with each compartment I18., Thus the front of the magazine is open at its lower portion forming an opening. with respect to each individual compartment. The front edges.- ofthe side plates I10 have flanges I84 at the upperportions: turned over the frontside ofthe plate I80. The flanges I84are provided. with cut back portions in the lower ends forming shoulders I86.

Mountedpnthe outer surface of the platel80 isan adjustable cover plate. I88.v The cover plate; I88: istnro-vided with screws I00 which are inserted through slots. H12 in theplate I80 (Figures 9 and 10). Brackets I84 receive the screws; I80. and bear on the inner surface of the front plate I80... Thus by loosening. the. screws I90 the coverplate 133113311 beadiusted vertically with I respect-1 to the plate I80 and retained in adjusted position by tightening the screws. The lateral extrem-itiesof. the plate I88 are guided between theflanges I84-. The lower portion-of the;plate.- I 88' :is providedwith extensions forming. shoulders- I96Fwhichw engagethe shoulders I86- onupwardmovementof theplate .188 and limit the moyementqof the latter. V

Therlower edge-of the cover-plate IE8. is providedwith a.. series; of downwardly extending projections: I98.:in register withthe individual compartments I18 ,and extending. inter the openings'ofthelatteri mea er tend outwardly beyond the plates I80 and I88 as indicated at 260. .The upper edge of each extension of 200 is shaped to have a hook 202.

The side walls I16 of the magazine and the partitions I16 may be provided with openings such as 264 for handling the magazine and for affording access to the interior.

The side Walls I16 and partiaions I16 are provided with aligned notches 206 in the upper edge adjacent the front of the magazine. In the notches 266 is a shaft 268 extending transversely across the magazine. A pusher member is indicated at 2I6 and includes a hook portion 2l2 which is detachably hooked over the shaft 208. There is one such pusher 2 I in each of the compartments I16. Leading downwardly from the hook H2 is a straight portion 2I4 on which is supported a. weight element 2I6, and extending toward the front is a bottom element 2 I8 on the front edge of which is pivotally mounted a pusher plate 226. Each pusher 2I6 is adapted to swing in the respective compartment following the curvature of the bottom I14. The plate 22E! is so positioned on the pusher that the upper end of the plate engages the lower edge of the 1 front plate I36. The bottom of the pusher plate 226 terminates above the bottom edge of the opening in the front of the magazine.

The numeral 222 refers to a holding clip secured to the bottom of the front edge of each tion and secured, as by soldering, to the partition and front edge of the flared portion 224. The clip plate is wider than the front terminal edge of the flared portion 224.

A filler piece 228 is inserted in the lower corner defined by the clip plate 226 and the partition.

One filler piece is inserted on each side of the respective partition. The filler pieces are wedge shaped to correspond to the flared extensions 224 so as to provide an inclined face to be engaged by a lower marginal edge of a bag 232 and the inclined faces of the wedges tend to constrict the opening to center the bag in the. compartment. This arrangement serves to compensate for slight variations in the Width of bags employed. The lower edge of each filler piece terminates short of the lateral extremities of the clip plate leaving a small space as indicated at 236. In addition, shelves or ledges 23I are formed on the flared extensions 224 by the greater Width of the flared extensions than the filler pieces. I have found that best results are obtained when the shelves are approximately .025" in width. In the case of each partition I16, the clip plate 226 extends across the edge of the partition and forms a projection in front of each of the adjacent compartments, but in the case of the side Walls I only one-half of the holding clip is employed; in this case it extends inwardly from the respective side plate, in front of the opening of the compartment.

Figure 17 illustrates a conventional bag employed for bagging the articles. The bag as a whole is indicated at 232 and, as is well known, is in the form of a flat bag having a front top portion 234 and a flap or lip 236.

Figure 11 illustrates diagrammatically a pack of bags in the magazine. A plurality of bags 232 are stacked in flat condition ahead of the pusher plate 220 in each compartment.

Figure 10 illustrates one such bag 232 in dotdash outline and in open position. The bags are inserted with their open ends up and with their front upper edges disposed outwardly. The lower corners of the front bag engage the holding clips 222 and rest upon the ledges 23! formed by the flared extensions 224, adjacent the wedges 228, and the flap 236 at the top engages the projections I98 with the front top portion terminating below the projections. The pusher 2h) can be swung rearwardly and upwardly in. the re spective compartment so that a large number of bags can be accommodated. The vertical adjustment of the cover plate I88 permits accommodation of bags of different lengths within a limited range. The marginal edges of each clip plate 226 are beveled on the rear surface to permlit the bags to slide thereover, having no sharp or rough edges which might tear to restrict the movement of the bags.

As mentioned above, the channels I53 and plate I66 terminate substantially at the front of the bagging machine. From Figure 10, it Will be noted that there is a slight difference in length of these elements. The plate I66 terminates adjacent the plate I68 and the channels I53 extend forwardly a slight distance thereof as indicated at 238. It will also be noted that the channels terminate flush with the front edge of the main portion 36 of the top plate 34. An outer plate 240 is spaced outwardly of the plate I83. The outer plate 246 abuts against the front edge of the top plate 34, extending above the plate 3 3 as indicated at 242. A transversely extending angle piece 244 is secured to the rear surface of the front plate 240. The angle piece 244 includes a leg 246, which is supported on the top surface of the plate 34. The plate 34 is provided with threaded openings 250 into which are threaded studs 248 with the heads of the studs seated in openings in the leg 246. A bracket 252 is pivoted by means of a screw in the topplate 34 adjacent the leg 246. The bracket 252 includes an extension 256 adapted to overlie the leg 246 when the bracket is pivoted in that direction. Thus the bracket 252 secures the outer plate 246 against displacement forwardly by the studs 248, and upwardly by the extension 256.

The lower edge of the outer plate in assembling the device, is inserted in the hooks 282 formed on the extensions 266 on the partitions. The outer plate 24% then forms a delivery duct 258. Since the plate I66 terminates flush with the cover plate I68, the delivery duct 258 c0mmunicates With the top duct I62. The sides of the delivery ducts 266 are closed by the side flanges 262} secured on the edges of the outer plate 246. Adjacent the bottom of the delivery duct 258 are a plurality of blocks 262 (Figures 3, i0, and 12). The blocks 2G2 are aligned with the partitions in the magazine forming individual channels in register with the respective cornpartments. The lower channels of the delivery duct 256 thu terminate immediately above the openings in the lower part of the front wall of the magazine. The blocks 262 bear on the plate I83 thus spacing the lower end of the plate 246 therefrom and the lower edge of the plate 246 is efiectively locked between the plate I83 of th hook members 262.

access:

Secured to the front surface of the outer wall 240 are a plurality of wedge shape members 266 forming a plurality of chutes 268 therebetween.

The flanges 268 on the lateral extremities of the outer plate 240 are extended forward and define the outer edges of the outer chutes. The upper ends of the chutes 268 are in register longp tudinally with the compartments in the feed hopper 62. The wedge shape member 266 taper downwardly and diverge downwardly so that the chutes are roughly of uniform transverse dimension, and the bottom ends of the chutes are substantially in register with the compartments "8 in the magazine. The mm of the chutes remains open. V I

The upper ends of the chutes 288 are disposed so that the feed hopper 62 is over the chutes at certain positions of the feed hopper, as will be explained fully in connection with the operation of the machine.

Attention is directed to the fact that the front Wall of the magazine approaches the vertical although it is inclined therefrom to some extent. The main consideration is that the articles to be bagged slide down the chutes 263 and although the front of the magazine and the chutes may be disposed at different angles, the angle employed must be sufiicient for the article to slide rapidly down the chutes.

The conveyor which is indicated in its entirety at I4, includes a pair of laterally spaced angle members .210. A roller 272 is mounted on the members 21!] adjacent the front end under the shield I68. The roller 212 includes a shaft 274 and two cylindrical rollers 216 connected to and disposed on opposite sides of a pulley element 218. The outer ends of shaft 214 are provided with bearings including sleeves 28E} mounted in rectangle bearing blocks 232. Each bearing block 282 is supported in a bearing mounting including a, pair of angle brackets 284 mounted on the respective members 270. The brackets 284 are spaced apart to receive the bearing block and are provided with aligned holes for the receipt of a lock pin 236. The pin 286 is provided with a clip 288 which is positioned over the top of the bracket 284 and secured onto the pin similarly to a safety pin.

Secured to the shaft 214 at one end of the roller is a bevel gear 290 which meshes with another gear 292.. The gear 292 is mounted on a vertical shaft 294 in bearing supports 296. The shaft 296 has driving connection through gearing 2% with a speed reducer 369 and an electric motor 382.

The conveyor includes a second roller 3H4 having a shaft 335 provided with bearing blocks 398. A single angle bracket 3!!! is mounted on each side member Eli! and is provided with a set screw 312. The roller 38a is disposed on the side of the bracket Mil remote from the other roller and the set screw on engages the bearing block and thereby the roller 334 can be adjusted toward and away from the roller 21 2. The construction of the roller 384 is the same as the roller 21 2 which includes the V-shaped pulley element.

An endless belt 3M is trained over the rollers 272 and 304 and includes an upper run and a,

lower run. On the inner surface of the runs of the belt is a guiding element 316 in the nature of a strip of v belting and extends 1ongitudinally along the linear dimension of the runs of the belt. The guiding element 3IE is received in the v-shapedpulley elements of the rollers and 10 by this feature the belt is restrained against displacement axially of the rollers.

A plurality of cross brace 3I8 extend transversely of the conveyor frame and are attached to a supporting plate 322 which has down turned flanges 324, which engage the side members 210. The supporting plate 322 isfor-med with a longitudinally extending central depression 320 for accommodating the guiding element 3I6. Angle strips 325 are secured to the upper surface of the plates 322 adjacent the lateral edges of the belt. The position of the supporting plate 322 i thus immediately under the upper run of the belt whereby it m a support for the upper run of the belt. It will be noted from Figures 1 and 4 that the front end of the conveyor is disposed under the shield or deflector plate I68. Access to the roller 21-2 is afforded upon the: front edge of the deck I36 being swung upwardly.

A trough or gutter 2539 (Figure 4) is secured to the back plate of the machine adjacent the rear edge of the top plate 34. The gutter 269 slopes toward one side of the machine, and is so I positioned that any liquid flowing from the top plate 34 drops thereinto and is carried on into a receptacle.

A lever 26'! is pivoted on the rear of the machine adiacent the bottom and extends upwardly so that the upper portion of the lever can be engaged by the knee. The lever 26! is provided with an actuating plug 255 {for operating the control switch for the motor I28 ;for driving the cam I22. The circuit for controlling the motor I28 may be arranged for cyclic operation so that when the operator actuatesthe switch the m0- tor revolves the cam one full revolution and then stops; or it may be arranged for continuous operation of the motor.

Figure 13 shows a bag 232 opened out with an ice cream bar 235 therein. The ice cream bar, as usual, is provided with a stick. Figures 21 to 30 also show the ice cream bars in place in the feedv hopper. i

Use and operation The machine as illustrated in Figures 4 and 25 shows the parts at the beginning of a cycle of operation. In this position, the cam 1212 is turned so that the roller I20 on the lever arm I08 falls into the depression in the cam. The carriage 56 and the feed hopper 62 are disposed in loading position, to which they normally move by gravity. The feed hopper 62 is provided with laterally spaced compartments to accommodate existing machines used for forming the ice cream bars. Such a machine includes a multiple arrangement for holding the ice cream sticks, i. six groups of four each. The bars are molded onto the sticks and then dipped, and the bars thus coated are inserted in the feed hopper. The hopper has six compartments, and each compartment contains four bars, as illustrated in the drawings. The particular number of bars accommodate'd, however, does not form an essential of the invention. 7

The ice cream bars are usually wedge shape, and the horizontal leg of the angle strip I6 engages the sticks of the bars and holds them in upright position, to insure against coatings of the bars contacting the rear Wall of the hopper i and interfering with free discharge of the bars.

After the feed hopper is loaded, the operator presses the lever 26! and the switch controlled thereby starts the cycle of operation. The cam I22 then rotates so that the cam surface I32 quickly throws the lever I08 clockwise. upper ends of the branches of the lever arm I98 engage the carriage 56 and move the carriage upwardly and forwardly in the runway in the top plate 34. The friction device 92 acting on the bottom panel 82 initially carries the bottom panel with the carriage; when the stop 89 on the bottom panel encounters the stop member 90, the bottom panel is restrained against further movement. When this occurs, the front edge of the bottom panel is disposed substantially in register with the chutes 258. At the point where the bottom panel is checked in movement, the front edge of the feed hopper is still positioned over the bottom panel. 7

Continued movement of the cam acting through the lever arm moves the carriage 56 forward in the runway. The feed hopper then slides over the bottom panel and moves the ice cream bars forward so that they drop out of the feed hopper over the front edge of the bottom panel. One ice cream bar in each compartment thus drops out and slides down the respective chute 26B. 7

During this operation the blower I44 is operating and causing a continuous blast of air to be driven up the outlet duct I52 which continues through the top duct I62. The blast of air then continues down the front delivery duct 258 and out the lower extremities thereof; The blast of air emerging from the delivery duct 252 blows into the front bags held below the duct. It will be recalled that the bags are held in place by the projections I98 engaging the flaps or lips 23% at the top, and by the lower corners abutting the holding clips 222. The blast of air emerging from the delivery duct blows into the bags and opens out the front wall thereof. The ice cream bars drop from the chutes into the bags, and in dropping from the height of the chutes, said bars gain considerable momentum and when they fall into the bags, the bags are released from the holding clips 222. As 'mentioned above, the air blast in the ducts can be regulated in intensity by regu lating the inlet of the blower. Thus means is provided for accommodating bags of different sizes and paper characteristics to insure that the bags will be fully opened.

When the lower corners of the bag are released from the holding clips, the momentum of the ice cream bar pulls the bag from between the pusher plate 220 and the projection I98. The bag with the ice cream bar therein then slides over the shield I68 and onto the conveyor.

The

The conveyor carries the bagged article away from the bagging zone to a collection point.

Continued movement of the carriage and feed hopper to theposition of Figure 28 permits the second series of ice cream bars to drop out and down the chutes.. 'The time required forthe ice cream bars to fall down the chutes and out onto theconveyor is veryshort, and consequently the feed hopper can be moved from the position of Figure 27 .to the position of Figure 28 within a v charging successive series of ice cream bars.

Figures 21 to 24 illustrate clearly the various positions of the feed hopper in the different p stages of discharging and in these figures are also shown'the positions of thecam I22. The

charging position it is moved at a slow rate.

When the feed hopper reaches the fourth discharging position, the notch 14! jars the lever arm I08, and thereby the feed hopper and insures that the bars in'the last series are jarred loose from the feed hopper, if they should happen to adhere thereto, and be properly discharged.

The cross bar 46 is disposed a short distance above the upper surface of the feed hopper so that if any of the ice cream bars fall over forward, they will be straightened up on contact with the bar 66, so as to maintain the bars in a proper aligned position for discharging through the chute 2E8.

The arms on the bottom panel82 provide a means whereby the bottom panel is supported in the carriage after the carriage moves past the front edge of the bottom panel proper.

I call particular attention to the novel construction of the holding clips 222, including the shelves or ledges 23! of the flared portions-224, for supporting the lower corners of the bags. The lower corners of the bags rest on the shelves, and the foremost bag bears against the clip plates 22% in the spaces 230. As each bag is removed, the remaining bags remain securely in position on the shelves or ledges and are forced forwardly by the pusher plate 220.

Sanitation is of primary importance in handling ice cream and other confections. In this machine all of the parts of themachine that come in contact with the ice cream are made of stainless steel so that the ice cream is not tainted and so that the parts of the machine can be easily cleaned, To carry out the latter feature, special attention is directed tothe novel construction of various parts whereby all of the essential parts can be quickly disassembled from the machine for repair, replacement and cleansing. Y

Figure 18 illustrated diagrammatically the parts which can'be removed from the frame. The detail description in connection with each of the individual parts canbe referred to for the of the surfaces of the magazine are then accessible for cleaning. The plate ISO is removed merely by sliding it out of the channel members I53. 7 The blower duct I52 is removablerby merely drawing forward onits upper end and lifting it off of the blower. The angle strip 16 is readily demountable from the feed hopper 62. The feed hopper is removable from the carriage 5i! merely by lifting it off. The bottom panel 82 is removed by sliding it out of the rear of the carriage, is removed by. lifting it out of the runway in the top plate 34.

Inthe case of the conveyor wardly to clear the side members 1210 and slid- The carriage I4 the supporting plate 322 is removed merely by raising it. up'-.,

43 ing it laterally outwardly. The rollers in the conveyor can readily ;be removed.

Thus the bagging machine :of the present invention .is readily susceptible to being entirely disassembled.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it'will be understoodof course, that I do :not wish to be limited ithereto since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by th'e claims appended hereto to cover any such modifications or substitutions of equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

'1. in a bagging machine, a generally closed frame, a .ieed hopper'moun'ted on the upper part of the frame and movable to a loa'ding position, and to a discharging position at one side of the frame, a plate pivoted in 'the frame below said feedhopper with its swinging edge disposed adjacent the side of the frame below said discharging position, said plate beingnormally horizontal and swingable upwardly, amagazine removably mounted on said plate, a conveyor having one end disposed under the swinging edge of said plate,said plate being adapted to deflect articles descending from said feed hopper 'in discharging position onto said conveyor, operating means mounted in said frame below said plate and exposed tn the exterior when said plate is pivoted upwardly, means operably interconnecting said operating means and said feed hopper, said operating means being efiectivefor'moving said feed hopper from loading position to discharging posi tion, and means for operating said conveyor.

2. In a bagging machine, the combination com prising, a frame, a feed :hopperfslidably mounted on said frame, a bottom panel in said hoppensaiid panel being slidable with respect to said frame and said hopper, friction means intercooperating between said hopper and panel operable to slide said panel in response to sliding of said hopper, means limiting the sliding movement of said panel to :a range less than the range of sliding movement of said hopper, and a chute leading from within the range of movement of said hopper to a bagging zone.

3. In-a bagging machine, the combination comprising, a frame, a feed hopper slidably mounted on the frame and movable to a loading position and to a discharging position, said hopper having an open bottom closed by a bottom panel slidably mounted with respect to said hopper and to the frame, said panel being movable to a position for closing said hopper when the latter is in its loading position, means limiting the movement of said panel so that when said hopper is in its discharging position its bottom is at least partially open, and a chute leading from the discharging position of said hopper to a bagging zone.

4. In a bagging machine, the combination comprising, a frame, a runway formed in the frame adjacent the top thereof, a carriage demountably supported in said runway, said oarriage'being slidable in said runway, a feed hopper having an open bottom demountably supported on said carriage and being movable therewith, a bottom panel demountably supported in said carriage and being slidable therein with respect to said carriage and hopper, said panel being adapted to register with the open bottom of said hopper, means on the frame engageable with said panel tolimit the range of movement of the latter, and a chute leading from within the range or movement oi 14 said carriage andioutsidethe'range of movement of said panel .to a bagging zone.

15. Ina bagging machine, thecombination comprising, .aiframe, a runway formed on the frame, a roller carriage demountably supported in and movable in said "runway, said carriage having side members and a-central openspace, a feed hopper having an open bottom demountably supported on andmovable'with said carriage, the openbottom of "said hopper being in register with said open space insa'id carriage, the side members of said carriage having grooves extending in the direction of movement of the carriage, a bottom panel demountably supportedin said gr-ooves, said .panel being movablein said grooves and adapted toregister with the open bottom of said hopper, means on the frame engageable with said'panel to limit the'rangeof movementof the latter, and a chute leading from within the range of movement of said carriage and outside the range oiimovement ofsaidpanel to a bagging zone.

6. In a bagging machine, the combination comprising, a "frame, an inclined runway on said frame, a roller carriage demountably supported in "said runway, said carriage having side members and a central open space, a feed hopper having an open bottom demount'ably supported by said carriage and movable therewith, the open bottom of said hopper being in register with said open space in said carriage, the side members of said carriage having grooves extending in the line of movsmen'to'f said carriage, a bottom'panl demountably supported in said grooves and slidable therein, said-carriage and hopper being movable to a loading position at the lower end of said runway, said panel being adapted to register with the open bottom of said hopper when the latter is in loading position, said carriage and hopper being movable to discharging position at the upper end of the runway, means on the frame limiting the movement *of said panel when said carriage and hopper are moved to said discharging position whereby the bottom or. said hopper is open when in said discharging position, and a chute leading from said discharging position to a bagging zone.

7. In a bagging machine, a frame, a feed hopper having an open bottom movably mounted on the frame, a panel forming the bottom of said hopper, said' bottom panel being movable with respect tosaid hopper, a container mounted on said hopper, bearing balls in said container and an gageable with said bottom panel, spring means biasing said bearing balls toward said bottom panel, said bearing balls tending to cause movemen't o'fsaid bottom panel with said hopper, and

means mounted on the frame limiting movement of said bottom panel in one direction upon movement of said hopper.

8. In a bagging machine, a frame, a feed ho per mounted on the frame, said hopper being movable to a loading position and to a discharging position, said hopper diverging upwardly, and an angle member having legs of unequal lengths, said angle member being deniountably secured on said hopper and adapted to be alternately disposed with either leg extending horizontally over tiiciie top of the hopper and inwardly from one s e. l

9. In a bagging machine, a frame, a feed hopper mounted on "the frame, said hopper being movable to a loading position and to a discharging position, said hopper diverging upwardly, a chute leading from said discharging position and a; bar mounted on the frame adjacent said chute,

said bar being horizontally disposed and positioned above and closely adjacent the path of movement of hopper, and an angle member having legs of unequal lengths, said angle member being demountably secured to said hopper on the side remote from said bar, said angle member adapted to be alternately disposed with either leg extending horizontally over the top of the hopper.

10. In a bagging machine, a frame having an inclined runway, a feed hopper slidably mounted on said runway and movable by gravity to a load ing position at the lower end of said runway, and movable to a discharging position at the upper end of said runway, a horizontally disposed base member below the inclined runway, cam means mounted on said base member for moving said hopper rapidly from leading position to a point adjacent discharging position and thereafter slowly moving said hopper into discharging position, and means for actuating said cam means.

11. In a bagging machine, a frame, a feed hopper mounted on the frame and movable from a loading position to a discharging position, said hopper having an open bottom and a bottom panel, said bottom panel being movable, relative to said hopper, to a position whereby the bottom of said hopper is open when in discharging position, said hopper having" a plurality of compartments extending in the direction of movement of the hopper, and a plurality of chutes individual to said compartments leading from said dis.- charging position to a bagging zone.

12. In a machine of th character described, a frame, a hopper mounted on the frame and movable to a loading position and to a discharging position, said hopper having an open bottom, a bottom panel mounted on and movable with re spect to said hopper, means for moving said hopper from said loading position to a point adjacent said discharging position, said bottom panel closing said open bottom, in all positions between said loading position and said point, said means being operable to move said hopper beyond said point into discharging position, and means for restricting movement of said bottom panel beyond said point as said hopper is moved therebeyond into said discharging position.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination comprising, a frame having a top plate member, spaced channel member's'se: cured to the under surface of said plate'memb'er, a removable plate demountably supported by said channel members and forming a top duct with said plate member, a blower mounted in the frame having an outlet duct demountabiy extending into said top duct at one end thereof, a

front plate demountably supported on the frame adjacent the other end of said top duct, a cover plate demountably supported. onthe frame and. forming with said front plate .a downwardly opening delivery duct, said delivery duct com municatingwith said top duct, means for supporting bags below the lower end of said delivery. 7

zine having a bottom curved about an'axis parallel with said front wall and disposed above the bottom, partitions in said magazine disposed in planes transverse to said axis and dividing said "magazine into compartments, a weighted pusher. in each compartment pivoted adjacent said axis and swingable in the respective compartment, the bottom edge of said front Wall terminating above the bottom of said magazin forming an opening individual to each compartment, a holding clip adjacent each lower corner of the open ing of each compartment and extending in front of and in overlapping relation to the opening, a chute terminating adjacent the upper edge of each opening on the outer side of said front wall, and means for feeding articles to be bagged into said chutes.

15. In a baggin machine, a magazine having a front wall disposed toward vertical, said magazine having a bottom curved about an axis parallel with said front wall and disposed above the bottom, partitions in said magazine disposed in planes transverse to said axis and dividing said magazine into compartments, a weighted pusher in each compartment pivoted adjacent said axis and swingable in the respective compartment, the

bottom edge of said front wall terminating above the bottom of said magazine forming an opening individual to each compartment, said front wall having a projection extending downwardly in front of and in overlapping relation to each opening, said pusher being adapted to engage said projection, a holding clip adjacent each lower corner of the opening of each compartment and extending in front of and in overlapping relation to the opening, a chute terminating adjacent the upper edge of each opening on the outer side of said front wall, and means for feeding articles to be bagged into said chutes. V

16. In a bagging machine of the character described, a magazine having a wall disposed toward vertical, said wall having an opening therein, a movable pusher plate in the ma azine, means for urging said plate toward said opening, said plate being adapted to bear against a portion of said wall defining the upper edge of said opening, a holding clip at each lower corner of said opening and extendin in front of and in overlapping relation to said opening, said clips having cooperating surfaces diverging from the plane of said opening, a chute terminating adjacent the top of said opening, and means for feeding articles into said chute.

17. In a bagging machine of the character described, a magazine having a wall disposedtoward vertical, and a bottom portion, aplurality of partitions disposed perpendicular to said wall forming compartments, said bottom portion having extensions disposed under and terminating in register with said partitions, said ,wall having 7 of each opening, and means for feeding articles 7 into said chutes.

' V 18. In a bagging machine of the character described, a magazine having a wall disposed to- Ward vertical, a plurality of partitions disposed perpendicular to said wall forming compartments, said wall having openings individual to said compartments, a movable pusher'plate in each compartment, means for moving each pusher plate toward the respective opening, a holding clip at each lower corner of each opening, each holding clip including a clip plate secured transversely to the outer edge of the respective partition, and a plane-surface filler piece secured. between the clip plate and the partition, a chute terminating adjacent the top of each opening, and means for feeding articles into said chutes.

19. In a bagging machine of the character described, a magazine having a wall disposed toward vertical, a plurality of partitions disposed perpendicuar to said wall forming compartments, said wall having openings individual to said coinpartments, a movable pusher plate in each compartment, means for moving each pusher plate toward the respective opening, a holding clip at each lower corner of each opening, each holding clip including a clip plate secured transversely to the outer edge of the respective partition, and a plane-surface filler piece secured between the clip plate and the partition, a chute terminating adjacent the top of each opening, and means for feeding articles into said chutes, the greatest transverse dimension of said filler plate being less than the transverse dimension of said clip plate.

20. In a machine of the character described, a magazine having a wall disposed toward vertical, said wall having an opening individual to each of a plurality of compartments adjacent the bottom of the wall, a plurality of partitions in the magazine perpendicular to said wall formin said compartments, a notch in each partition adjacent the top thereof and adjacent said wall, a shaft demountably supported in said notches and extending transversely across the magazine, a weighted pusher demountably and pivotally supported on said shaft in each compartment, a plate secured to each pusher, said pushers being swingable in said compartments and the plates thereon movable toward the respective opening, a chute terminating adjacent the top of each opening, and means for feeding articles into said chutes.

21. In a bagging machine of the character described, the combination comprising, a frame, magazine demountably supported in the frame, and having an open side at the forward end thereof, a wall plate demountably supported on said magazine and covering a portion of said open side, the lower edge of said wall plate terminating above the bottom of said magazine and forming a feed opening, a plurality of partitions in said magazine perpendicular to said wall plate forming compartments, a notch in each partition adjacent the top thereof and adjacent said wall plate, a shaft demountably supported in said notches and extending transversely across the magazine, a weighted pusher in each compartment demountably and pivotally supported on said shaft, a plate on each pusher, each pusher being swingable in its compartment and the plate thereon movable toward said feed opening, and an outer plate demountably supported outwardly of said wall plate, said outer plate having chutes formed therein individual to said compartments and terminating adjacent the upper edge of said magazine, and means for feeding articles into said chutes.

22. In a bagging machine, a generally closed frame, a feed hopper mounted on the upper part of the frame and movable to a loading position, and to a discharging position at one side of the frame, a plate pivoted in the frame below said discharging position, said plate being normally horizontal and swingable upwardly, a magazine removably mounted on said plate, said plate being adapted to deflect articles descending from said feed hopper in dischargin position, operating means mounted in said frame below said plate and exposed to the exterior when said plate is pivoted upwardly, and means operably interconnecting said operating means and said feed hopper, said operating means being effective for moving said feed hopper from loading position to discharging position.

KENNETH A. BEVING'ION.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,874,669 Wagner Aug. 30, 1932 2,008,896 Brown July 23, 1935 2,020,415 Hirsch Nov. 12, 1935 2,021,322 Newberry Nov. 19, 1935 2,211,061 Hawley Aug. 13, 1940 2,246,196 Van Voorhis June 17, 1941 2,336,213 Bayer et a1. Dec. 7, 1943 2,355,500 Anderson Aug. 8, 1944 2,372,647 Beane Apr. 3, 1945 2,375,065 Askue May 1, 1945 2,388,987 Morrison Nov. 13, 1945 2,424,252 Orlando July 22, 1947 2,509,320 Smith et a1. May 30, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 333,530 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1930 542,930 Germany Jan. 30, 1932 

